Man jailed for taking judge’s BMW for joy ride

A JIMBOOMBA man picked the wrong car to take for an alcohol-fuelled joy ride when he jumped in a BMW convertible that had been stolen from a federal court judge.

Benjamin Thomas Murdoch, 24, was jailed today after he pleaded guilty to driving a white convertible car that had earlier been stolen from Honourable Justice Sarah Derrington on November 4 at St Lucia last year.

Sarah Derrington is also the president of the Australian Law Reform Commission. Picture: John Feder

Honourable Justice Derrington is also the president of the Australian Law Reform Commission.

At Beenleigh Magistrates Court, Murdoch pleaded guilty to 15 charges that included driving the sports car under the influence of alcohol, evading and obstructing police and possessing drugs.

"Mr Murdoch I hope you enjoyed events on the 4th of November," Magistrate Don MacKenzie said in court today.